I can do it, too! right?

mamalissa
mamalissa Posts: 45
edited September 2024 in Introduce Yourself
Well, that's what I'm telling myself... and I alllmost believe it! :smile:

The past several months, while mired in depression, I've seen countless examples of successful weight loss... [Heck, even in my own home for a while now. My partner is now less than half her former size (4 yrs and counting)...] But, despite my former attempts, I'm nowhere near where I want to be in terms of my weight, how much I exercise, etc... and I've felt continually plagued with negative thoughts about how losing weight is clearly possible for others, but why not for me?!?!

I'm now up 20+ lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight with my daughter who is now 13 months. I only gained 10 lbs while pregnant and was 8 lbs below my ppg weight shortly after delivery. So, 30 lbs up since my daughter was born... I definitely attribute the majority of that weight gain to my post partum depression. PPD is not something I didn't expect. I had it with my 1st daughter. I was depressed before and during my pregnancies, too. Been dealing with depression for about 10 yrs now, with various levels of success. Getting pregnant makes it difficult because I can't be on my meds throughout the pregnancy. Getting leveled out after my girls were born is a painstakingly long process. I could go on and on about depression, so, anyway....

I'm mentally in a place where I feel like weight loss is possible. For me. I believe I can do it. I know it will take patience, perserverance, committment, confidence, and willingness (to fail, learn, and keep trying)... (not to mention, uh, moving more and eating less, right?!)

In the past, I successfully lost 60 lbs with very limited caloric intake (about 1200 calories/day, my first diet ever). Gained half that back while grieving my son. Then, I lost a whopping 6 lbs with modified diet (excluding white flour and sugar) and frequent exercise (1 hr/day, 4-6 times/wk). I stuck to that for over a year and saw very little results for my efforts (Meanwhile, in that time, my partner had lost well over 100 lbs in much less time, with no exercise!!!) That was really discouraging. So, this past year, I 'gave up' the idea that I could successfully lose weight. And, all that's done for me is gotten me precariously close to my highest weight. I'm physically uncomfortable, my pants aren't fitting or they're splitting (wtf?!?!) and I've been feeling very embarrassed and unhappy about how I look.

So, here I am. I'm pretty honest. Not fragile. Not harsh. I can write a lot. I can also be very quiet. I'm a gemini. Lots more to me, but I've written a lot already. Oh, and I need friends, too. I'm here to give and get support.

Thanks for reading!

~peace, melissa

Replies

  • monkeybelle83
    monkeybelle83 Posts: 141 Member
    You can do this. When you wake up, always tell yourself it's going to be a good day, and don't get discouraged. I used to be a twig before my car accident, now I'm over 200lbs. It can get depressing, but you've got to do your best to stay positive. Something that helped me feel better overall was cutting out high fructose corn syrup. They put it in EVERYTHING! After I got that out of my system I found I had more energy and just felt better.

    Another trick I use is that I fill up on veggies as much as possible. So when I get down, instead of eating a cheesecake, I'll cook up some of my favorite veggies and season them how I like them.
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    You CAN do it! Even if dropping pounds doesn't come easily for your body, you can be healthy and strong...exercise and good food will improve your mind and body no matter the scale tells you.

    When I was younger, I could drop weight just by thinking about it. Now that I'm getting up there in years, I have to work and work and work for every pound. It is frustrating and discouraging, I won't lie! But..I ask myself, if I weigh the same a year from now, would I rather look back at a year of being healthy and putting in the effort, or a year of giving up and not doing right by myself?
  • thechallenge
    thechallenge Posts: 2 Member
    You can do it! Take a look at all the other people around you that have lost weight. Whether its someone you know, or someone on fitness pal. If they can do it, so can you! We are all here to support eachother! Support is the key! :happy:
  • gagejennifer
    gagejennifer Posts: 41
    Yes you can do this. And there are plenty of supportive friends on here to help as well !. Good luck on your journey !.
  • otr12
    otr12 Posts: 632 Member
    But..I ask myself, if I weigh the same a year from now, would I rather look back at a year of being healthy and putting in the effort, or a year of giving up and not doing right by myself?

    I love that.
  • Hinto
    Hinto Posts: 52
    Anything is possible, take a look at the success forum. It's hard, sometimes really hard, but it is possible to get on a healthier track. Best of luck on your journey, and feel free to add me a friend if you'd like.
  • mamalissa
    mamalissa Posts: 45
    thanks for the encouragement! I really do appreciate it! :):):)
  • mamalissa
    mamalissa Posts: 45
    Something that helped me feel better overall was cutting out high fructose corn syrup. They put it in EVERYTHING! After I got that out of my system I found I had more energy and just felt better.

    Another trick I use is that I fill up on veggies as much as possible. So when I get down, instead of eating a cheesecake, I'll cook up some of my favorite veggies and season them how I like them.
    2 great ideas! I haven't tried to eliminate hfcs, but it's something to strive for. I know I definitely need to up my vegetable intake. I do like a lot of veggies, just so often my depression keeps me from doing so much. I'm always fighting it. It's quite a struggle.

    thanks for reminding me about hfcs!
  • mamalissa
    mamalissa Posts: 45
    But..I ask myself, if I weigh the same a year from now, would I rather look back at a year of being healthy and putting in the effort, or a year of giving up and not doing right by myself?

    I love that.
    I totally agree! Even if the number on the scale isn't as low as I'd like it to be, my rational brain knows I am more healthy and I love that. Unfortunately, my 'crazy' thinkin often overrules rational thinking and I get discouraged. But, I am in a good place now, am grateful, and am working hard to keep it intact!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories